Method and apparatus for identifying a sales channel

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a replaceable printing component for use in a printing system having at least one replaceable printing component. The replaceable printing component is of the type sold through a plurality of sales channels. The replaceable printing component includes a radio frequency link for receiving information indicative of a particular sales channel of a plurality of sales channels. Also included in the replaceable printing component is an electrical storage device for storing information indicative of the particular sales channel. The electrical storage device provides information indicative of the particular sales channel for reordering the replaceable printing component.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/295,080 filed Apr. 20, 1999, entitled “MethodAnd Apparatus For Transferring Information Between A ReplaceableConsumable And A Printing Device,” assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention, and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to printing systems that make use of areplaceable printing component. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a replaceable printing component that includes a radiofrequency link for receiving sales channel information and storing thisinformation in a memory device.

[0003] One type of printing system commonly used is an inkjet printingsystem. Inkjet printing systems typically include an inkjet printheadthat is mounted within a scanning carriage that is moved back and forthprint media such as paper. As the printhead is moved or scanned acrossthe print media, a control system activates the printhead to deposit oreject ink droplets onto the print media to form images and text. Ink isprovided to the printhead by a supply of ink that is either carried bythe scanning carriage or mounted to the printing system in a manner thatdoes not move with the scanning carriage. Where the ink supply is notcarried with the scanning carriage, the ink supply is eitherintermittently or continuously connected to the printhead forreplenishing the printhead with ink. In either case, the replaceableprinting components such as the ink container and the printhead requireperiodic replacement. The ink supply is typically replaced whenexhausted, and the printhead is typically replaced at the end ofprinthead life.

[0004] Another type of printing system that is commonly used is anelectrophotographic printing system. The electrophotographic printingsystem is typically includes an electrophotographic printing engine. Theelectrophotgraphic printing engine often includes an intermediateimaging device such as a drum and a supply of imaging material such astoner. The drum is charged using an energy source such as a scanninglaser. Imaging material is attracted to the charged drum and is thentransferred to print media. A fusing device binds the imaging materialto the print media. Replaceable printing components such as a supply ofimaging material frequently included, among other things, in acartridge, referred to as a toner cartridge, are typically replaced whenexhausted. Other replaceable printing components such as theintermediate imaging device, fusing device, and various componentssubject to wear are typically replaced at end of life.

[0005] Regardless of whether the printing system is an inkjet printingsystem or an electrophotographic system, the replaceable printingcomponent must be replaced when exhausted. The replaceable printingcomponent is typically sold through one of a number of sales channels.Each sales channel typically includes one or more distributors and areseller or service provider. Each reseller or service providertypically offers a variety of replaceable printing componentsmanufactured or distributed under different brands. Because of limitedshelf space, these resellers or service providers typically offer orcarry fewer brands than those from which they have to choose.

[0006] It is important that the manufacturers of each brand provide someincentive for the reseller or service provider to stock or carry itsbrand in order to ensure sales of that brand. Manufacturers that provideless incentive to the reseller for stocking their brands can getoverlooked, resulting in lost sales.

[0007] There is an ever-present need for techniques to build brandloyalty with the resellers or service providers. These techniques shouldprovide an incentive for the reseller to carry a particular brand overother brands. In addition, this technique should be reliable and resultin relatively low manufacturing costs to maintain a relatively lowprinting cost per page.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention includes a replaceable printing componentfor use in a printing system having at least one replaceable printingcomponent. The replaceable printing component is of the type soldthrough a plurality of sales channels. The replaceable printingcomponent includes a radio frequency link for receiving informationindicative of a particular sales channel of a plurality of saleschannels. Also included in the replaceable printing component is anelectrical storage device for storing information indicative of theparticular sales channel. The electrical storage device providesinformation indicative of the particular sales channel for reorderingthe replaceable printing component.

[0009] In one preferred embodiment, the replaceable printing componentis an inkjet print cartridge. In another preferred the embodiment, thereplaceable printing component is an electrophotographic printingcartridge. In yet another preferred embodiment, the radio frequency linkis configured for receiving data encoded in a radio frequency signal ina serial fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is an exemplary printing system of the present inventionthat incorporates a replaceable printing component, shown in a topperspective view with a printer cover open.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a simplified electrical block diagram of the printingsystem shown in FIG. 1 shown connected to a host device and shown linkedto a reseller programming device.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of one exemplaryembodiment of the linking devices for transferring information to andfrom a memory associated with the replaceable printing component.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a representation of information stored within the memoryassociated with the replaceable printing component by the reseller orservice provider for identifying the reseller.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a sales channel thatincludes an intermediate channel and reseller for the sale of areplaceable printing component of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 6 depicts one exemplary embodiment of the technique of thepresent invention for storing reseller identification information in thereplaceable printing component of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a block diagram representing the technique of thepresent invention for retrieving reseller information from thereplaceable printing component of the present invention for reorderingthe replaceable printing component.

[0017]FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of one exemplary technique ofthe present invention for identifying a reseller of the replaceableprinting component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of aprinting system 10 of the present invention shown with its cover open.The printing system 10 includes a printer portion 12 having one or morereplaceable printing components 14 installed therein. The printerportion 12, together with the replaceable printing component 14,accomplishes printing on print media. Each printing component 14includes a sales channel or reseller identification device 16 forstoring information identifying a reseller or service provider of theprinting system 10 for use in ordering replacement replaceable printingcomponents 14.

[0019] In one exemplary embodiment, the printing system 10 as shown inFIG. 1, is an inkjet printing system. However, the present invention, aswill be described herein, is applicable to a variety of other types ofprinting systems 10 such as electrophotographic printing systems. Theinkjet printing system 10 as shown and described herein is used merelyto illustrate the method and apparatus of the present invention. Afterthe method and apparatus of the present invention is described withrespect to the inkjet printing system, the application of the method andapparatus of the present invention to other types of printing systemswill be discussed briefly.

[0020] Where the printing system 10 is an inkjet printing system such asshown in FIG. 1, the replaceable printing component 14 is an inkjetprint cartridge that includes an inkjet printhead and an ink reservoirin fluid communication with the printhead (not shown). The inkjet printcartridge 14 is installed in a scanning carriage 18 and is movedrelative to a print media. The inkjet printer portion 12 includes amedia tray 20 for receiving the print media 2. As media is steppedthrough the print zone, the scanning carriage moves the print cartridges14 relative to the print media 22. The printer portion 12 selectivelyactivates the printhead portion associated with the print cartridge 14to deposit ink on print media to thereby accomplish printing.

[0021] The printing system shown in FIG. 1 is shown with 2 replaceableprinting components 14 representing a print cartridge for black ink anda 3-color print cartridge containing cyan, magenta, and yellow inks,together accomplishing 4-color printing. The method and apparatus of thepresent invention is applicable to printing systems 10 that make use ofother arrangements such as printing systems that use greater or lessthan 4-ink colors, such as in high fidelity printing which typicallyuses 6 or more colors. In either case, the printing system 10 includes 1or more replaceable printing components 14. each having a reselleridentification device 16 associated with that printing component 14.

[0022] The method and apparatus of the present invention is applicableto inkjet printing systems 10 having other configurations than thoseshown in FIG. 1. For example, the replaceable printing component 14 canbe a printhead portion that is mounted on the scanning carriage 18, or aseparate ink reservoir portion which is mounted off the scanningcarriage that is in fluid connection either intermittently orcontinuously with the printhead portion. In this case, each of theprinthead portion and the ink reservoir portion is a separatereplaceable printing component 14 with each replaceable printingcomponent 14 having a reseller identification device 16 associatedtherewith. The ink reservoir portion is replaced when the ink isexhausted and the inkjet printhead portion is replaced at end of life.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of the printing system 10 ofthe present invention shown connected or otherwise linked to aninformation source or host device 24 and a reseller programming device26. The information source 24 provides information such as imagedescriptions to the printing system 10 for printing on print media. Thereseller programming device 26 provides information indicative of thesales channel that is stored in the reseller identification device 16.This sales channel information identifies the sales channel orparticular reseller of the replaceable printing component 14. Thereplaceable printing component 14 stores this sales channel or reselleridentification information within the replaceable printing component 14for use later at reorder time. When the replaceable printing component14 is exhausted or when additional replaceable printing components 14are reordered, the sales channel or reseller information is retrievedfrom the replaceable printing component 14 to identify the reseller.

[0024] The method and apparatus of the present invention tends to buildbrand loyalty for the manufacturer. Because customers of the replaceableprinting component 14 are pointed back to the reseller of thereplaceable component 14, the resellers benefit from selling replaceablecomponents 14 that incorporate this reseller identification feature. Inaddition, the manufacturer benefits because resellers will preferselling replaceable components 14 from the manufacturer that makes useof the reseller identification feature. Finally, the customers of thereplaceable printing component 14 benefit by the reseller identificationfeature because the customer will always know where a replacementprinting component 14 can be obtained.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment, the information source 24 includes acontrol device 28 and an input device 30 and a display device 32. Thecontrol device 28 provides image information or image descriptioninformation that is provided to the control device 34 associated withthe printing system 10. The control device 28 is often connected to adisplay device 32 such as a monitor and receives input from the inputdevice 32 such as a keyboard or some other such input device. Theinformation source 24 can be source of information that is acceptable bythe printing system 10 such as a personal computer, workstation, webappliance, digital camera or server, to name a few, that provides imageinformation to the printing system 10 for printing. The informationsource 24 is connected to the printing system by way of a data link 36.The data link 36 can be any one of a variety of data links such as anelectrical link or an infrared link for transferring information betweenthe information source 24 and the printing system 10.

[0026] The printing system 10 includes the control device 34 forreceiving image information from the information source 24 andcontrolling a printer mechanism 38 accordingly for forming images onprint media. The control device 34 associated with the printing system10 in the case of an inkjet printer formats this image information andstores this image information for controlling various printing system 10functions to accomplish printing. These printing system 10 functionsinclude controlling the motion of the scanning carriage 18, controllingthe media feed to step print media 22 through a print zone andactivating the printhead to deposit ink on print media so as to form animage on print media which corresponds to image information receivedfrom the information source.

[0027] In the preferred embodiment, the reseller identification device16 includes a linking device 40 and an electrical storage device 42. Thelinking device 40 and a corresponding linking device 44 associated withthe printing system 10 allow information to be transferred between thecontrol device 34 and the electrical storage device 42 without directelectrical contact. Among the information passed between the electricalstorage device 42 and the control device 34 via the linking devices 40and 44 is sales channel information such as information specifying thereseller identification and information specifying the particularreplaceable printing component 14. The electrical storage device 42 is adevice for storing and retrieving information such as semiconductormemory.

[0028] The linking devices 44 and 40 allow reseller identification andcomponent identification such as model number to be retrieved from theelectrical storage device 42 either upon the occurrence of a conditionsuch as a low ink condition or upon customer request for thisinformation. The customer can request reseller identificationinformation such as using the information source 24 to make a request orthrough the use of an input device such as a switch that provides arequest for reseller information to the control device 34. In responseto the request for reseller information the control device 34 retrievesthe reseller information for either printing this information using theprinter mechanism 38 or displaying this information on the displaydevice 32 associated with the information source 24 or displaying thisinformation on a display device (not shown) associated with the printingsystem 10. The display device associated with the printing system 10 canbe a liquid crystal display (LCD) or some other suitable display fordisplaying sales channel information such as reseller identification forthe customer. The customer can then use this reseller information tocontact the reseller to request a replacement component 14 from thereseller.

[0029] The reseller programming device 25 includes a linking device 46and a control device 48. Information is transferred between the controldevice 48 and the electrical storage device 42 by transferringinformation between the linking devices 46 and 40. The linking devices46 and 40 allow information to be transferred between the resellerprogramming device 26 and the printing system 10 without directelectrical interconnection. In the preferred embodiment, informationspecifying the reseller identification and the component identificationfor the replaceable printing component 14 is sent from the resellerprogramming device 26 to the electrical storage device 42. The reselleridentification and component identification information is stored in thereseller identification device 16 either at the time of purchase of thereplaceable printing component 14 or prior to purchase of thereplaceable printing component 14 but after the reseller is identified.In one preferred embodiment, at the time of purchase, the reselleridentification and component identification are stored in the memorydevice 42 for use by the customer when reordering of replaceableprinting components is necessitated.

[0030]FIG. 3 depicts further detail of the linking devices 40 and 46 ofthe present invention for transferring information between the resellerprogramming device 26 and the reseller identification device 16. Thelinking device 44 associated with the printing system 10, is similar tothe linking device 46 associated with the reseller programming device26, and therefore will not be discussed in detail.

[0031] The linking device 46 associated with the reseller programmingdevice 26 includes a serial controller 50, a radio frequency interface52, and an antenna 54. The serial controller 50 controls the transfer ofinformation between the control device 48 associated with the resellerprogramming device 26 and the radio frequency interface 52. The serialcontroller 50 is preferably a microprocessor, a programmable controlleror a hardware implemented controller that performs the necessaryinterface and data manipulation functions for passing informationbetween the control device 48 and the radio frequency interface 52.Information transferred between the control device 48 and the serialcontroller 50 includes component identification information and reselleridentification information that is stored in an electronic storageportion associated with the control device 48. In one preferredembodiment, information is transferred between the serial controller 50and the control device 48 in a parallel format, and information istransferred between the serial controller 50 and the radio frequencyinterface 52 in a serial format.

[0032] The radio frequency interface 52 receives information from theserial controller 50 in a serial fashion and converts this informationinto time varying voltages at the antenna 54. These time varyingvoltages are preferably in a standard radio frequency range such as 125kilohertz to 13.56 megahertz. Radio frequencies outside this range mayalso be suitable. Transmission of information using a radio frequencytechnology is used in financial transaction cards provided by financialinstitutions for various types of transactions such as banking and usingdebit cards and credit cards. These financial transaction cards aresometimes referred to as “smart cards”. Similar technology is also usedin inventory systems that are sometimes referred to as radio frequencyidentification (RFID) technology.

[0033] Alternatively, the linking devices 40, 44 and 46 can be devicesfor transferring information therebetween using techniques other thanradio frequency coupling. For example, the linking devices 40, 44 and 46can make use of a variety of techniques such as electrostatic,inductive, capacitive or magnetic coupling for transferring informationbetween linking devices 40, 44, and 46.

[0034] The linking device 40 associated with the reseller identificationdevice 16 is similar to the linking device 46. The linking device 40includes a serial controller 56, a radio frequency interface 58 and anantenna 60, each of which are similar to corresponding features of thelinking device 46. The voltages are induced on antenna 60 in response totime varying voltages provided to antenna 54. Information is extractedfrom the time varying voltages induced on antenna 60 by the radiofrequency interface 58. Information is passed from the radio frequencyinterface 58 to the serial controller 56. In response to commandinformation, the serial controller 56 can store information such ascomponent identification and reseller identification information in theelectrical storage device 42. In addition, in response to commandinformation, the serial controller retrieves information from theelectrical storage device 42 for sending this information to the serialcontroller 50 in a similar manner.

[0035] In the preferred embodiment, the linking device 40 and theelectrical storage device 42 associated with the reseller identifyingdevice 16 is either an active device that is powered by a battery or apassive device that stores energy in a storage device such as acapacitor. In the case of a passive device, energy is provided to thecapacitor by voltages induced on the antenna 60. In the preferredembodiment, voltages are induced on the antenna 60 due to time varyingvoltages that are applied to the antenna 54 by the radio frequencyinterface 52. The induced voltage at the antenna 60 is provided to apower conditioner 62 which converts these time varying voltages into asingle polarity voltage that is suitable as a supply voltage for each ofthe electrical storage device 49, the serial controller 56 and the radiofrequency interface 58. In one preferred embodiment, the powerconditioner 62 rectifies a time varying voltage that is induced on theantenna 60 and filters this rectified voltage to provide a suitablesupply voltage.

[0036] To power the linking device 40, a time varying electromagneticfield induces a voltage on antenna 60. The modulation of this timevarying electromagnetic field allows information to be transferred tothe linking device 40. For example, a carrier signal can be provided bythe linking device 46 to induce a time varying voltage at antenna 60.This time varying voltage is rectified and filtered by the powerconditioner 62 to provide a supply voltage to the linking device 40 andelectrical storage device 42. The radio frequency interface 52 modulatesthe carrier signal such that by varying the frequency, phase oramplitude, information is transmitted to the linking device 40. Themodulation of the carrier signal allows the radio frequency interface 58to extract information from the carrier signal. Information istransferred in a similar manner from the linking device 40 back to thelinking device 46.

[0037] Use of a power conditioner 62 on the linking device 40 eliminatesthe need for a direct power and ground connection between the reselleridentification device 16 and the printing system 10. In addition, theuse of the power conditioner 62 allows component identificationinformation and reseller identification information to be stored on thereplaceable printing component 14 without installing the replaceableprinting component 14 in the printing system 10 or some type ofprogramming fixture. Furthermore, because direct electricalinterconnection is not required, information can be transferred to andfrom the replaceable printing component 14 through packaging. Thus theuse of radio frequency linking devices 40 and 46 allows componentidentification information and reseller identification information to bestored or updated in the reseller identification device 16 after thepackaging of the replaceable printing component 14.

[0038]FIG. 4 is a representation of the contents of the electricalstorage device 42 within the reseller identification device 16. Theelectrical storage device 42 includes a plurality of information storagelocations each having a corresponding memory address. The memoryaddresses are represented by 0000, 0001, 0002 up through XXXX.Corresponding to each of these memory addresses is a memory location forstoring information. For example, in memory location 0000, componentidentifier information is stored, and in location 0001, reselleridentification information is stored.

[0039] The amount of memory locations can vary depending on the numberand size of information to be stored in the electrical storage device42. The locations where each particular piece of information is storedcan be different from that shown in FIG. 4. It is important that each ofthe reseller programming device 26 and the control device 34 associatedwith the printing system have a map identifying the information for eachmemory address location so that the proper information can be stored andretrieved from the memory 42. For example, in the event that thereseller programming device 26 stores reseller information in memorylocation 0001, then the control device 34 retrieves the reselleridentification information from memory location 0001 when the printingsystem 10 or host 24 requests the reseller identification.

[0040]FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the technique of thepresent invention for identifying the reseller or service provider of areplaceable printing component 14 so that the customer can properlyreorder from the same reseller. The process includes a manufacturer 64who manufacturers the replaceable printing component 14. Themanufacturer 64 sells the replaceable printing component 14 to anintermediate channel 66 which then sells the replaceable printingcomponent 14 to a reseller or service provider 68. The reseller orservice provider 68 sells the replaceable printing component 14 to acustomer 70. Either the customer 70 or the service provider 68 installsthe replaceable printing component 14 into a printing system 10. Thepath of the replaceable printing component from the manufacturer 64 tothe reseller 68 is sometimes referred to as a sales channel. Typically,there are numerous different sales channels available to themanufacturer 64 for selling products to the customer 70.

[0041] The intermediate channel 66 typically includes one or moredistributors who handle the replaceable printing component 14 prior tothe delivery of the replaceable printing component 14 to the reseller68. Alternatively, the manufacturer 64 can sell the replaceable printingcomponent 14 directly to the reseller 68 or customer 70.

[0042] At reorder time the customer 70 retrieves the reselleridentification and component identification information from thereplaceable printing component 14 so that the reseller 68 can beidentified for reordering the replaceable printing component 14. Thecomponent identification information is used to aid the customer 70 inidentifying the particular model of the replaceable printing component14 to ensure that the proper replaceable printing component isreordered.

[0043] There are numerous other arrangements in which the resellerinformation stored in the replaceable printing component 14 can beutilized to order a replacement part. One such arrangement is where thereplaceable printing component 14 is returned to the manufacturer 64 whothen retrieves the reseller information from the replaceable printingcomponent 14. The manufacturer 64 either sends a replaceable printingcomponent 14 to the customer 70 or contacts the reseller 68 to send anew replaceable printing component 14 to the customer 70. In anotherarrangement, the manufacturer 64 is identified from the informationstored in the replaceable printing component 14. The customer 70contacts the manufacturer 64 who assists or selects a reseller 68 forthe customer 70.

[0044]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the method of the presentinvention for storing reseller information in the replaceable printingcomponent 14. The process begins by the manufacture of the replaceableprinting component 14 as represented by step 72. The manufacturer thenwrites default information into the replaceable printing component 14 asrepresented by step 74. The manufacturer 64 makes use of a device suchas the reseller programming device 26 shown in FIG. 2 to store thisdefault information in the replaceable printing component 14. Thisdefault information may specify a list of resellers 68 that sell thereplaceable printing component 14 or this default information mayidentify a particular reseller 68 that is to receive the replaceableprinting component 14. Alternatively, this default information mayspecify a web address or a URL which points to the reseller 68 or whichpoints to information which the customer can then use to determine thereseller 68 of the replaceable printing component 14.

[0045] The manufacturer then sells the replaceable printing component tothe distributor or intermediate channel 66 as represented by step 76.The intermediate channel 66 sells the replaceable printing component 14to a final reseller 68 as represented by step 78. The final reseller 68then stores the reseller identification information to the printingcomponent 14 as represented by step 80. The reseller identification isany information that is suitable for identifying the sales channel orspecific members of the sales channel such as resellers 68, intermediatechannel 68 or manufacturer 64. This reseller identification can includea reseller code that identifies one or more channel members, a telephonenumber for a channel member, a name of a channel member or an internetaddress. The embodiment that makes use of the internet address will bediscussed in more detail with respect to FIG. 8. The final reseller 68then sells the replaceable printing component 14 to the customer 70 asrepresented by step 82.

[0046] Additional sales channel information other than the reseller 68identification can also be stored in the electrical storage device 42associated with the replaceable printing component 14. This saleschannel information can include information identifying the particularsales channel for the replaceable printing component 14. Thisinformation stored on the replaceable printing component 14 includesmanufacturer 64 identification information, intermediate channel 66identification information as well a reseller 68 identificationinformation. As the replaceable printing component 14 moves through thesales channel devices such as the reseller programming device 26 areused to store this channel identification information at each step inthe sales channel. This information may be helpful for the manufacturerto identify how goods pass through the sales channel. This informationmay also be useful when stolen replaceable printing components 14 areseized for identifying where in the sales channel these goods werestolen.

[0047]FIG. 7 depicts one preferred technique of the present inventionthe customer 70 utilizes to reorder a replaceable printing component 14from the reseller 68. The customer 70 retrieves reseller informationfrom the replaceable printing component 14 to reorder from the reseller68. One preferred method of implementing this process is shown in FIG.7. The printing system 10 first provides component identifierinformation and reseller identifier information to the customer 70 asrepresented by step 84. The customer 70 uses the reseller identifier tocontact the final reseller 68 of the previous replaceable printingcomponent 14. The customer 70 also provides the component identifierinformation to the final reseller 68 to reorder a replacementreplaceable printing component 14 from the reseller as represented bystep 88.

[0048]FIG. 8 represents one preferred embodiment wherein either themanufacturer 64, intermediate channel 66 or reseller 68 stores aninternet address, referred to as a URL, on the replaceable printingcomponent 14. The URL information or internet address is provided by theprinting system 10 to the customer 70. This internet address is providedautomatically by the printer such as when the replaceable printingcomponent 14 is exhausted or upon a request by the customer 70 in amanner similar to how the reseller identification information isprovided to the customer 70. Information is provided to the customer 70either by displaying this URL information on the display device 32associated with the information source or host 24, or by printing thisinformation on print media using the printer mechanism 38. (See FIG. 2.)The customer 70 can go to this internet address or URL represented bybox 90 and retrieve a list of resellers 68 from which to choose.Alternatively, this internet address can be a location to reorder thereplaceable printing component 14 from a particular reseller 68. Thecustomer then contacts a reseller 68 for reordering the replaceableprinting component 14.

[0049] The technique of the present invention makes use of a replaceableprinting component 14 that includes a reseller identification device 16for identifying resellers of the replaceable printing component 14. Inthe preferred embodiment, the reseller identification device 16 includesa radio frequency link that allows the manufacturer 64, intermediatereseller channel 66 or final reseller 68 to store the resellerinformation using a suitable radio frequency linking device. The use ofa radio frequency linking device for storing reseller information allowsthe storing of reseller information after packaging of the replaceableprinting component 14 by the manufacturer 64. Because the storage of thereseller information does not require opening of the packaging, themanufacturer 64 can use tamper proof packaging to package thereplaceable printing component 14.

[0050] By providing reseller information with the replaceable printingcomponent 14, the customer 70 always has a source of replacementreplaceable printing components 14. Therefore, the reseller informationis provided as a convenience to the customer 70. In addition, byidentifying the reseller 68, the manufacturer 64 provides some benefitto a particular reseller 68 of its replaceable printing components,thereby providing an incentive to carry the particular manufacturer'sreplaceable printing components.

[0051] The method and apparatus of the present invention have beendiscussed herein with respect to an inkjet printing system 10. Themethod and apparatus of the present invention is equally well suited foruse in other types of printing systems such as electrophotographicprinting systems. In an electrophotographic printing system, thereplaceable printing component 14 is a supply of marking material suchas toner frequently referred to as a toner cartridge. In addition, thereplaceable printing component 14 can also include various componentsthat require replacement over time such as motors, components that makeup the electrophotographic print engine such as imaging drums, wipersand fusers, to name a few. The reseller identification device 16 isassociated with each of the replaceable printing components 14 such asthe toner cartridge for identifying the reseller 68 for reorderingreplacement toner cartridges.

[0052] In one preferred embodiment, the electrical storage device 42,serial controller 56. radio frequency interface 58 and power conditioner62 of reseller identification device 16 are formed on a substrate suchas silicon which is attached to an antenna coil. Both the coil and thesubstrate are integrated into a label that is adhesively attached to thereplaceable printing component 14.

What is claimed is:
 1. A replaceable printing component for use in aprinting system having at least one replaceable printing component, thereplaceable printing component of the type sold through a plurality ofsales channels, the replaceable printing component comprising: a radiofrequency link for receiving information indicative of a particularsales channel of the plurality of sales channels; and an electricalstorage device for storing information indicative of the particularsales channel wherein the electrical storage device provides theinformation indicative of the particular sales channel for replacing thereplaceable printing component.
 2. The replaceable printing component ofclaim 1 wherein the replaceable printing component includes a reservoirfor containing marking material.
 3. The replaceable printing componentof claim 1 wherein the replaceable printing component is a tonercartridge for printing using an electrophotographic printing process. 4.The replaceable printing component of claim 1 wherein the replaceableprinting component is an inkjet print cartridge.
 5. The replaceableprinting component of claim 1 wherein the radio frequency linking devicereceives information in a serial fashion for storage in the electricalstorage device.
 6. The replaceable printing component of claim 1 whereinthe electrical storage device is a semiconductor memory device.
 7. Thereplaceable printing component of claim 1 wherein the particular saleschannel information includes at least one of reseller identification,intermediate channel identification and manufacturer identificationinformation.
 8. The replaceable printing component of claim 1 whereinthe particular sales channel information includes each of reselleridentification, intermediate channel identification and manufactureridentification information.
 9. The replaceable printing component ofclaim 1 wherein the particular sales channel information is stored onthe electrical storage device at a point of sale of the replaceableprinting component.
 10. A method for identifying a particular resellerresponsible for a sale of a particular item of a plurality of resellerseach of which sell similar items, the method comprising: providing aradio frequency signal having information contained therein indicativeof the particular reseller; receiving the radio frequency signal andstoring the information indicative of the particular reseller in amemory associated with that item; and retrieving the informationindicative of the particular reseller for reordering a replacement itemfrom the particular reseller responsible for the sale.
 11. The methodfor identifying a particular reseller of claim 10 wherein retrieving theinformation indicative of the particular reseller includes retrievingreseller information that corresponds with the information indicative ofthe particular reseller that is specified in a lookup table.
 12. Themethod for identifying a particular reseller of claim 10 whereinproviding the radio frequency signal includes providing a radiofrequency signal that is modulated for providing information in a serialfashion to the printing component.
 13. A method for building customerloyalty with resellers who sell replaceable components for use in asystem having at least one replaceable component, the business methodcomprising: storing information identifying a particular reseller of aplurality of resellers using a radio frequency signal having informationcontained therein indicative of the particular reseller; and retrievingthe information indicative of the particular reseller for reordering areplacement item from the particular reseller responsible for the sale.14. The method for building customer loyalty with resellers of claim 13wherein storing information identifying a particular reseller isaccomplished in a serial fashion.
 15. The method for building customerloyalty with resellers of claim 13 wherein the radio frequency signalenables storage of information in a memory associated with replaceablecomponents associated with the particular reseller.
 16. The method forbuilding customer loyalty with resellers of claim 13 wherein retrievingthe information indicative of the particular reseller includesretrieving reseller information that corresponds with the informationindicative of the particular reseller that is specified in a lookuptable.
 17. A method for storing information indicative of a particularreseller of a replaceable component of a plurality of resellers ofsimilar replaceable components, the method comprising: providing a radiofrequency signal having information contained therein indicative of theparticular reseller of the replaceable component; and storing theinformation indicative of the particular reseller of the replaceablecomponent in a storage device associated with that item in response toreceiving the radio frequency signal.
 18. The method for storinginformation indicative of a particular reseller of claim 17 whereinproviding a radio frequency signal having information contained thereinis accomplished by providing a radio frequency signal that is modulatedto encode information therein.
 19. The method for storing informationindicative of a particular reseller of claim 17 wherein storing theinformation indicative of the particular reseller includes receivinginformation in a serial fashion for storage in the storage device. 20.The method for storing information indicative of a particular resellerof claim 17 wherein the storage device is a semiconductor memory. 21.The method for storing information indicative of a particular resellerof claim 17 further including retrieving the information indicative ofthe particular reseller for reordering a replacement item from theparticular reseller responsible for the sale.
 22. A replaceable printingcomponent for use in a printing system having at least one replaceableprinting component, the replaceable printing component including anelectrical storage device for storing information indicative of areseller of the replaceable printing component.
 23. The replaceableprinting component of claim 22 wherein further including a radiofrequency link for receiving radio a frequency signal having informationindicative of the reseller of the replaceable printing component. 24.The replaceable printing component of claim 22 wherein the replaceableprinting component includes a reservoir for containing marking material.25. The replaceable printing component of claim 22 wherein thereplaceable printing component is a toner cartridge for printing usingan electrophotographic printing process.
 26. The replaceable printingcomponent of claim 22 wherein the replaceable printing component is aninkjet print cartridge.
 27. The replaceable printing component of claim23 wherein the electrical storage device and the radio frequency linkare integral with a label that is attached to the replaceable printingcomponent.